For many, this is a time to reflect and be grateful, and to consider the needs of others--particularly those that are less fortunate than we are.

At this time of year, we know many of you may wish to make donations to the charitable organizations in our community that provide safety net services during the long winter months, especially for food, shelter and emergency assistance programs. Some of these also provide services that can brighten the holidays for local families with kids.

For this reason, over the last several years, we've featured a "grab bag" of projects in our November newsletter, highlighting some local safety net organizations.

If you'd like to support any of the programs featured below, we're recommending general support gifts of $100 to $1,000. (A polite reminder to our Fundholders that want to recommend a grant distribution from their Fund, the minimum amount is $250. To contribute, please complete a donor recommendation form and fax it to us at 254.7955.)

Cope Family Center (Cope). Cope is the largest family resource center in Napa County and serves 1,000 families with case management, financial education and economic stability programs. Families in crisis can drop in to receive diapers and formula, transportation vouchers, grocery gift cards and referrals to rental assistance. Contact: Joelle Gallagher, Executive Director, 707.252.1123 or jgallagher@copefamilycenter.org.

Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center (Puertas).Puertas focuses on Latino residents in the city of Napa.It connects more than 450 low-income families to subsidy programs, English as a Second Language classes, legal services and housing assistance.Puertas provides a limited amount of emergency food and clothing assistance, when funding allows. Contact: Rejane Brito, Executive Director, 707.224.1786 or rejane@puertasabiertasnapa.org.

St. Helena Family Center (SHFC). SHFC serves residents of St. Helena and the surrounding areas, and provides programs for all ages, including preschool activities, teen mentoring groups, and parenting classes. During the winter months, when many seasonal employees are out of work, SHFC helps approximately: 75 families with emergency rental assistance; about 20 families with paying energy bills; and, more than 100 families with gift cards for groceries and holiday gifts. Contact: Sara Cakebread, Executive Director, 707.963.1919 or scakebread@sthelenafamilycenter.org.

V.O.I.C.E.S.A program of On the Move, V.O.I.C.E.S is a family resource center dedicated to kids who will--or already have--aged out of the foster care system. The center helps more than 500 teens and young adults, ages 16-24, with a variety of drop-in emergency services, like: referrals to shelters and transitional housing programs; food; clothing and laundry facilities; and, use of the center's kitchen, phone and mailing address. Contact: Leslie Medine, Executive Director, 707.255.9465 or lmedine@comcast.net.

A volunteer-run program of the First Presbyterian Church of Napa, The Table serves a hot lunch five days a week, to approximately 200 people per day. The Table clients include seniors on a fixed income, low-income and working-poor families, homeless adults, mentally ill or disabled residents, and at-risk teens. Contact: Rev. Chris Gelini, Pastor, 707.224.8693 or pastor@fpcnapa.org.

Housing & Shelter

Calistoga Affordable Housing (CAH). CAH was established 12 years ago to develop affordable housing properties in Calistoga. The agency currently manages 33 low-income units, and also coordinates volunteers to help Calistogans living in substandard conditions rehabilitate their homes. Contact: Erica Roetman Sklar, Executive Director, 707.942.5920 or erica@calistogaaffordablehousing.org.

NEWS operates the only Napa County year-round shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The shelter--which is a safe, confidential house located in a residential neighborhood--can accommodate up to five women and 10 children at one time. Last year, 26 women and 34 children were safely housed in the shelter, staying for an average of three-to-four months. Contact: Tracy Lamb, Executive Director, 707.252.3687 or tracyl@napanews.org.

Shelter Services.* The Shelter Services include Hope Center, South Napa Shelter, Samaritan Family Shelter and the Winter Shelter. Altogether, the programs help nearly 600 homeless people in Napa, and provide a spectrum of services, depending on each client's situation. For example, Hope Center is a daytime, drop-in program for homeless adults to do laundry, take a shower or get a free medical exam. The South Napa, Samaritan Family and Winter shelters provide overnight beds for individuals or families. Some shelters offer meals; each shelter has requirements regarding length of stay and sobriety. Contact: Rev. Linda S. Powers, Program Director, 707.253. 6100, x.108 or lsp@can-v.org.

*These programs are run by the nonprofit, Community Action of Napa Valley.